ID Weeds

University of Missouri Extension has released a free ID Weeds app for iPhone and Android devices to help easily identify weeds in the field, lawn or garden.

The app has information on more than 400 plant species that could be encountered as weeds in crop fields, pastures, lawns, gardens or aquatic areas in Missouri and surrounding states, says Kevin Bradley, MU Extension weed specialist.

ID Weeds lets users narrow the list of suspects with a series of drop-down boxes for various plant characteristics. For most characteristics, users can click on “what’s this?” to see an illustration.

Clicking on an “Identify” link will produce a list of weeds that match the characteristics the user has chosen. The more characteristics specifed, the shorter the list will be. Selecting a weed on the list brings up detailed information and one or more photographs.

Users can also look up a weed by searching for its common or scientific name, or select from an alphabetical list.

“Proper identification of weeds is important so that you choose an appropriate and cost-effective method of control,” said Bradley, who is also an associate professor of plant sciences in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources.